There's just one month to go for the Griffith Writing Competition, and organisers are keen to see entries come in

The competition is themed around 'Mental Health in Rural Australia' and open to anyone writing short stories or poetry. Money made from entry fees will be donated to mental health programs across the Riverina.

The competition opened just recently on September 9, but with one month left, the group is keen to build the momentum and get works coming in.

Emily Fishenden, the current chair of the group, said that interest had been good but she was keen to see more finished entries coming in.

"We're definitely keen to get as many entries as possible, we'd love to be able to showcase all the talent within our region. We'd like to give people this platform to share their story," she explained.

She added that they were thrilled at the quality of the submissions already received.

"We've received pieces that cover a range of different topics ... We've received a very thought-provoking piece about recovery in one of the Wagga wards, that's from someone who's been to the recovery ward and how it's helped them."

"Whether you're still fighting or have overcome it, your story is just as valid and just as worth sharing."

On the topic of sharing, entries will have the option to be featured in an anthology published later on, bringing together a book full of different experiences around mental health. Money made from the book sales will also be donated to mental health groups Headspace and Wellways.

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"Obviously they can opt-out of being published if they feel it might be too personal, we won't publish it if they don't want us to. We're going to give people the option to publish under pen names as well," Ms Fishenden added.

For entry fees and conditions please email griffithfaw@gmail.com or visit the group's facebook page here.

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